Poet Vedanayagam Sastriar’s 250th anniversary to be celebrated in Thanjavur

The 250th birth anniversary of the renowned Tamil Christian poet and evangelist Vedanayagam Sastriar will be celebrated in Thanjavur on September 7. Vedanayagam Sastriar, hailed as one of the greatest Tamil Christian litterateurs, authored over 130 books, some of which are preserved in prestigious libraries such as the British Library in London, the French National Library in Paris, and the Saraswati Mahal Library in Thanjavur. His works reflect a deep mastery over various subjects, influenced by his education under the guidance of Father Christian Frederick Schwartz, who also tutored Prince Serfoji.
Sastriar's unique position in Tamil literature comes from his role as a poet in the Maratha Hindu court of Serfoji, despite his strong Christian faith. 
This pluralistic cultural legacy will be honoured at the celebration, where descendants of Vedanayagam from across the globe, along with Prince Shivaji Rajah Bhonsle, will 
gather.
In addition to his literary contributions, Vedanayagam Sastriar was also involved in reformatory movements, advocating for equality and the upliftment of marginalised communities, particularly women. 
His steadfast Christian faith, however, may have limited his recognition among Tamil literary giants.
The anniversary celebrations are expected to draw attention to his lasting impact on Tamil literature and social reform.